Losing someone to suicide is a kind of grief that carries unanswered questions – what more could have been done, why they didn’t reach out, whether there were signs that were missed. Those thoughts often linger for those closest to the person.
I am not convinced that restricting young people’s access to social media through legislation is an effective solution. While some countries, such as Australia, have introduced such measures, they seem more like attempts to demonstrate action than policies that can deliver meaningful outcomes. In practice, these laws are extremely difficult to monitor, enforce, or evaluate, and they risk creating a false sense of security rather than addressing the root issues.
A more constructive approach, in my view, is to focus on strengthening young people’s foundations offline ie helping them build supportive relationships, guiding them toward healthier online environments, and equipping them with the resilience to navigate life’s challenges. Parents and the wider community (aka “the village”) have a crucial role in shaping these supports and fostering environments where young people feel seen, heard, and able to ask for help – that’s where I believe we should channel our energy.
One area that legislation could definitely help with when it comes to digital/social media platforms is the use of recommendation algorithms – not just for young people, but everyone. These could be optional and turned off by default.
First dropped: | Last modified: April 27, 2026